PARK LANE DEPUTY RULES IN RAMBLING WILLIE STAKE

Continuing an amazing comeback after an injury limited his five-year-old season to just one start, Shirley Le Vin’s Park Lane Deputy dominated seven other Illinois conceived and foaled pacers as he cruised to a 2 ¾ length victory in 1:51.1 for driver Mike Oosting in Saturday’s $17,000 Rambling Willie Stake.

Floated away in fifth as Well To Guru (Casey Leonard) and Fort Silky (Brian Carpenter) battled through an opening quarter in 27.2, Oosting had the six-year-old son of Sportsmaster on the move as the field straightened up the backstretch.

Sweeping from fifth to first Park Lane Deputy grabbed control of the proceedings and seemed to be well within himself despite facing a first over challenge from Thisbigdogwillfight (Todd Warren), as he rolled through middle splits of 56.0 and 1:23.4.

After turning back the bid from Thisbigdogwilfight Park Lane Deputy then stepped away from the pocket sitting Well To Do Guru, sealing the deal with a 27.2 final split to notch his second win in three starts this year. Special Joe (Marcus Miller) rallied to finish second while heavy favorite Well To Do Guru was forced to settle for a third place check on this night.

A winner of more than $300,000 in his first three seasons on the track the Nelson Willis trainee returned $8.80, $4.80 and $3.00 to his backers.

Dean Magee teamed up with the Kim Rinker-trained So Be It for their second straight invitational winner on Saturday as they stopped the clock in 1:52.0.

For the second straight week the Kim Rinker-trained So Be It teamed up with driver Dean Magee to take the $17,000 Invitational Pace, stopping the clock in 1:52.0 this week.

The five-year-old Western Ideal gelding employed his usual late rushing tactics, charging by his rivals in the lane for his fourth win of the year. Four Starzzz Z (Travis Seekman) finished second while St. David Hanover (Marcus Miller) was third.

About Balmoral Park: Located in Crete, IL just 12 miles south of 80/94; Balmoral Park has been one of the nation's premier horse racing facilities since 1926. Balmoral Park features live racing every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking is always free.